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Detection of Duponchelia fovealis can be difficult because this pest is often located on plant parts that are close to the ground. For example, in rose and pepper cultivation, the larvae mainly live in the litter layer. If they do live higher up in the plant, they will be in more sheltered parts.

The moth has gray-brown/black anterior wings with a white wavy line, light brown rear wings and head and chest that are gray-brown. What is striking about the Duponchelia moth is that the abdomen is bent upwards at an angle. A female lays her eggs in small groups on the underside of leaves or in the litter of dead organic matter under the plant. In her adult life, a female can lay 200-300 eggs. During the egg development stage, the little eggs change color from white to pink/red.

After about eight days, the larvae hatch from the eggs. They are about 30 mm long, have a shiny black head and a light brown-like body covered in many dark dots. The hatched larvae feed on plant material and leave behind much excrement (especially problematic in floriculture). After about four weeks, the larvae, mostly on low-hanging leaves, start to spin a cocoon in which to pupate. This often occurs on low-hanging leaves due to their preference for a higher moisture content during pupation. Characteristic of Duponchelia is that the cocoon often also contains litter/other organic matter. As a result, the pupae are very difficult to see in the crop.

After a week or so, the pupae emerge. The moth can then deposit new eggs very quickly and lives in this stage for about 10 days. In Dutch greenhouses it is estimated that Duponchelia can linger for about 8 to 9 generations every year.

For early detection of Duponchelia, delta traps with pheromones can be used. 

Damage from the larvae is mostly seen in the lower parts of the plant near the stem and in the leaves. The larvae can penetrate the main stem and move through the plant. This damage can eventually lead to plant mortality. In addition, this damage close to the soil is especially beneficial for the entry of soil fungi such as Botrytis. Especially during warmer periods, Duponchelia can rapidly become a pest in greenhouse horticulture.

Given the rapidly declining availability of pesticides, fighting Duponchelia can be difficult. This is why it is recommended to invest in preventing the moth from entering in the first place. This can be done by placing insect netting or -screens in the air vents.

If you did get Duponchelia in your greenhouse, there are a number of products available (organic and chemical) to fight them. Currently, these natural enemies are recommended: the parasitic nematode Steinernema carpocapsae, the soil predatory mite Macrocheles robustulus and product HYPOcontrol. When spraying, it is important for the control agent to also reach the lower parts of the plant as well as the undersides of the leaves. In younger plants this will often work, but in older (larger/higher) plants the use of a spraying pole is recommended.

We also recommend extremely thorough steaming of the soil, where the larvae are mostly located, during crop rotations. 

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